Kismet

Kismet Restaurant Review:

About the chefs: Brooklyn chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson (Glasserie, Blue Hill) team up in Los Feliz with fellow chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun) creating synergistic, modern Middle Eastern dishes “reimagined” for contemporary California.

Décor: The cozy storefront formerly inhabited by Mother Dough has been transformed into a long, pale, minimalist blond wood box; a dozen tables and five-seat bar at the back mean you should definitely make reservations at dinner.

Likes: Fun, engaging wine list and servers are happy to offer tastes.
Dislikes: Not for the spontaneous --- don't even think about getting a seat on a weekend without a reservation.

Food & Drinks: At dinner, consider the interesting wine list --- an eclectic (though pricey) selection is reason enough to come here, especially if you enjoy exploring obscure, small-production, biodynamic European varietals (like a Slovenian 2012 Kabaj Sivi Pinot Goriska Brda). Share starters such as freekah fritters or lemony chicken and pine nut pies. A citrusy shaved kohlrabi salad is nicely punctuated with kumquat, pumpkin seed and mint. For mains, don’t miss the lamb belly, offset by turnips, carob and Meyer lemon. Honey mousse provides a sweet ending. There’s also a rabbit-for-two feast that includes the restaurant’s signature flaky bread.